Katie P. Desiderio, Ph.D. is an organizational learning and leadership scholar, executive coach, and national best-selling author of The Beekeeper and The Stargazer. She optimizes human performance at the individual, team, and organizational levels, helping leaders spark growth that is both measurable and meaningful.
With more than 20 years of experience in leadership development and change management, she integrates evidence-based science with whole-person performance. A professor at Moravian University and founder of Proximal Development, she brings an athlete’s mindset as a former collegiate athlete and proud mom of two elite soccer players.
Desiderio believes leadership is not about position, but proximity.
Jodi Kantor is a best-selling author and prizewinning investigative reporter whose work reveals hidden truths about power, law, gender, technology and culture.
Over the years, her reporting has led to a now ubiquitous invention that helps new mothers; paternity leave for workers at Amazon, the second-largest U.S. employer; and a global reckoning that shifted legal, corporate and social standards for treatment of women.
For the past two years, she has been working to shed light on one of our most critical, powerful, and least-understood institutions: the Supreme Court. Together with her New York Times colleagues, Kantor revealed the behind-the-scenes story of how the justices overturned the constitutional right to abortion, problems with the investigation into the leak of that opinion,and a secret influence effort by anti-abortion activists and another alleged breach. In thespring of 2024, Kantor broke the news of two provocative flags, associated with efforts tooverturn the 2020 election, displayed at the homes of Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr. Her workraised widespread public concern and renewed calls from lawmakers to address ethicalstandards at the court.
In 2017, Kantor and Megan Twohey broke the story of decades of sexual abuse allegations against the Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein. Their work helped shift the culture, protect women around the world, and spur a chain of truth-telling that continues to this day. Together with a team of colleagues who exposed harassment across industries, they were awarded the Pulitzer Prize for public service, journalism’s highest award. Rich Lowry, the editor of the National Review, called Kantor and Twohey’s Weinstein investigation “the single most influential piece of journalism I can remember. It instantly changed this country.
Kantor and Twohey wrote She Said, about the Weinstein investigation, to take readers behind the scenes of this kind of work and show the impact that even a small number of truth-tellers can have. The book was called “an instant classic of investigative journalism” by the Washington Post and one of the best books of the year by the New York Public Library, NPR, The New York Times, Time, and many other publications. A 2021 film adaptation, starring Zoe Kazan and Carey Mulligan, was called “a new entry in the pantheon of great newspaper movies.” Kantor and Twohey also adapted the book into Chasing the Truth, a guide for young journalists who want to tackle difficult stories.
Before then, Kantor’s work on the havoc caused by automated scheduling systems in Starbucks workers’ lives spurred changes at the company and helped begin a national fairscheduling movement. Amazon has repeatedly changed its policies in response to reporting by Kantor and her colleagues, introducing paternity leave and making other changes. After they revealed deep problems at the warehouse that was Amazon’s chief pipeline to New York City during the pandemic, the facility became the first-ever Amazon warehouse to vote to unionize. Her report on working mothers and breastfeeding inspired two readers to create the first free-standing lactation pods for nursing mothers. Thousands of them are now available in airports and other settings across the country.
From 2007 to 2013, Kantor covered President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama for the Times, delving into their ideas, biographies, family, marriage, faith and approach to the White House, and covering the 2008 and 2012 presidential campaigns. Kantor’s best-selling book, The Obamas, about their behind-the-scenes adjustment to the jobs of president and first lady, was published in 2012. “In lesser hands The Obamas would be an act of astonishing overreach, but Ms. Kantor… has earned the voice of authority,” Connie Schultz wrote in a review of the book. “A meticulous reporter, Ms. Kantor is attuned to the nuance of small gestures, the import of unspoken truths.”
Kantor’s next book will be How to Start: Discovering Your Life’s Work (Little, Brown and Company, April 21, 2026 ) in which she offers inspired wisdom, strategy, and a set of aspirations for young people to launch their careers and last their whole lives.
Kantor became a journalist by dropping out of law school– and never looking back. In 2003, she became the Arts & Leisure editor at The Times, and the youngest person in memory to edit a section of the newspaper. Since then, she has been the recipient of many awards and honors, including the Columbia Alumni medal, the George Polk Award, and Time Magazine’s list of 100 most influential people of the year. Her work has earned praise across the political spectrum. In 2025 she joined the New York Times’ Washington bureau’s Supreme Court team full-time.
Kantor lives in Brooklyn with her husband, New York Times personal finance columnist Ron Lieber, and her two daughters, and has a special love for mentoring younger journalists.
Maria Conigliaro is the founder and principal at Inspired Studio. Conigliaro is an entrepreneur, NeuroCoach, and speaker who helps business owners and leaders navigate change with clarity, confidence, and purpose.
Raised by third-generation Italian restaurant owners, she learned adaptability and resilience early, qualities that fueled the growth of her award-winning brand design agency, Inspired Studio. With more than 20 years of experience, Conigliaro has worked with hundreds of entrepreneurs and executives nationwide. Through brain-based coaching and neuroscience-informed strategy, she teaches audiences how to uncover their “Golden Thread,” the hidden belief where success and self-sabotage intersect, and rewire it for alignment and impact.
Conigiliaro received a bachelor’s degree from Kutztown University. She is a Certified NeuroCoach™, a NASM Certified Personal Trainer, a EFT & TFT Tapping Practitioner Certification, and a Heroic Public Speaking graduate.
Dr. Stephanie C. Gresh is the founder of Future Proof Career Coaching and a professor at Penn State University’s Lehigh Valley campus.
With more than a decade of higher education and leadership experience, Dr. Gresh’s pioneering work embedding generative AI in the classroom earned her the 2024 Penn State TLT Faculty Engagement Award. Through her “AI Basics for All” workshop, she makes complex tools practical and accessible for non-technical learners.
In addition, Dr. Gresh is the author of The Soft Side of Industry 4.0: Finding Success in the Digital Landscape.
Through Future Proof Career Coaching, Dr. Gresh champions essential human skills in the digital age. She presents at global conferences and delivers transformative workshops that fuse academic depth with real-world impact.
Dr. Gresh received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Rider University and her doctorate degree from Eastern University. She also holds a 2024 No-Code AI and Machine Learning certification from MIT.
Myriam Muniz is the founder of Momentum Moves Mountains, a career and leadership coaching company helping women navigate transition with clarity, confidence, and purpose.
After more than 30 years in corporate America, she turned her own “now what?” moment into a mission to empower women to rise beyond fear, burnout, and self-doubt. A career coach, speaker, and author of the Now What? book series, Muniz equips emerging and established leaders to move forward with authenticity and impact.
Muniz received a bachelor’s degree from B.A.M. Theological Institute and will finalize her master’s degree from B.A.M. Theological Institute in May 2026.
Linda Rowe is a speaker and leadership facilitator, partnering with individuals and organizations to foster authentic growth and development. Known for her passionate yet grounded approach, she focuses on building confidence, presence, and purpose, helping leaders understand how they show up both in real life and in digital spaces where authenticity ultimately matters most.
Rowe has more than 20 years of experience as a sales and people leader, building relationships rooted in trust and real-world practice. Her work reflects a belief that meaningful leadership happens at the intersection of theory and lived experience, and she remains deeply engaged in her community through nonprofit board service, creating clarity and “lightbulb moments” that align values with action.
Rowe holds an MBA from The University of Scranton and a bachelor’s degree in Leadership and Global Dynamics from King’s College, where her studies included international experience in Brazil and India. Additionally, she is a licensed life, accident, and health insurance agent in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and is a graduate, advisor, and current advisory council member of Leadership Northeast’s CORE Program.
Susan Unvarsky is an experienced C-Suite Global Executive, known for her leadership strengths in operational efficiency and service excellence, profitability/growth initiatives, risk assessments, mergers & acquisitions and cultural integrations, especially in highly regulated environments.
Unvarsky spent thirty-five years with Prudential before retiring in 2023. In her roles at Prudential, Unvarsky led large and complex global teams that delivered all elements of service to an institutional and individual customer base of 4M+ customers. She also led the successful outcome of consolidating life and retirement claim experiences across four enterprise businesses, and the adoption of the first Salesforce platform for claims.
A community advocate, Unvarsky has volunteered her time to dozens of board positions over the past 25 years, including academic institutions, health care organizations, and chamber of commerce workforce programs. She currently serves on the boards of Luzerne County Community College, King’s College and Rural Health Corporation.
Unvarsky received her undergraduate degrees from Luzerne County Community College and King’s College and her master’s degree from Boston University.
Talia Walsh is the owner of Quest Studio, a boutique fitness, yoga, and recovery space where movement meets healing. A wellness entrepreneur, speaker, and mindset coach, she currently guides individuals through movement-based healing, coaching, and transformational conversations that help redefine strength, identity, and legacy in the face of life’s unexpected challenges.
Walsh’s background is shaped by both professional expertise and powerful lived experience. After surviving a life-changing accident that caused facial paralysis and altered her ability to smile, she rebuilt her life from the inside out, discovering that true strength comes from showing up with courage when certainty is gone. She brings this perspective into her work through speaking and coaching, empowering others to navigate adversity, reconnect with themselves, and become the strongest version of who they are meant to be.
Walsh holds a master’s degree from Bloomsburg University. She is Pennsylvania’s first Level 4 Fascial Stretch Therapy Practitioner and a Dermal-Fascial Restoration Specialist, with advanced training in Thai massage, posture correction, and numerous healing modalities. With over 40 certifications in fitness, nutrition, and coaching, Walsh has further specialized in wellness coaching as a behavior change specialist and mindset coach, blending education with experience to create deeply impactful work.
Megan Alpert is founder and principal at Joy Wealth Partners. A gifted listener and natural collaborator, Alpert founded Joy World Wealth Partners in 2023 to help clients cultivate positive money mindsets and bring peace, joy, and ease to the financial planning process.
A seasoned financial services professional with more than 20 years of experience, Alpert’s approach using holistic financial advice helps her clients dream big. She partners with clients to create a plan considering the journey and destination, and presents opportunities to assist clients in making decisions that align with their highest purpose.
Alpert received a bachelor’s degree from The University of Pittsburgh. She holds the designation as a CPFA-Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor and the FINRA Series 7 and 66 securities registrations, and has her life and health insurance licenses.
Jill Valentini is vice president and director of retail lending at Fidelity Bank, where she manages the retail mortgage and consumer lending portfolio and leads key strategic and regulatory initiatives. With a 17-year career, she has advanced through multiple leadership roles and is recognized for her thoughtful approach to leadership and community-focused banking.
Valentini brings a strong background in financial services leadership and community engagement, having served on local boards and remaining active on committees with MetroAction and The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce.
Valentini is a graduate of Penn State University and a graduate of Leadership Lackawanna.
Olivia Eaddy is the assistant vice president of dental shared services at Sun Life. In this role, Eaddy focuses on transforming service and operating models to support the organization’s mission of improving oral health care, while leading a team of approximately 100 associates.
Prior to joining Sun Life, Eaddy spent nearly twenty years in the financial industry, where she was responsible for the life claims division and the claims contact centers for four different U.S. businesses at a Fortune 100 company. Eaddy has a diverse background with direct experience in annuities, group insurance, and individual life insurance business groups.
Eaddy is passionate about people and is the co-founder of Will-Liv Ministries, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit focused on helping people live life to the fullest.
Eaddy received a bachelor’s degree from Messiah University and a master’s degree from Liberty University. She is a Certified Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, Certified Business Architect, and has held a Series 6 and 26 FINRA license.
Kat Fox is the founder of Kat Fox Design. Launched in 2020, Kat Fox Design helps small businesses stand out and succeed online. From brand identity to full digital strategy, every solution is built to connect with your audience and grow your business.
Fox began her career in New York City in the jewelry industry, where her career evolved from the production side of the business to branding, ecommerce and marketing. Self-taught, Fox learned the deliverable side of the business, including website design, graphic design, and digital marketing, while implementing the financial and operational foundations required to grow a business.
Fox received an associate’s degree from the Fashion Institute of Technology. Since 2021, she has served as a business advisor and instructor with the Southern Colorado Small Business Development Center, guiding entrepreneurs in strategy and digital growth. In 2025, she was honored as a Top 20 Under 40 recipient by the Northeast Pennsylvania Business Journal. Beyond her formal education, Fox is a continuous student of evolving design, technology, and online business strategy.
Mary Kolessar is the executive director of DiscoverNEPA, Mericle Commercial Real Estate Services’ ten-county regional marketing initiative dedicated to promoting northeastern Pennsylvania as a great place to live, learn, work, and play. Since its launch in 2018, she has led the growth of the platform as a comprehensive regional resource highlighting local businesses, nonprofits, events, and community opportunities through engaging articles, photography, and video.
Kolessar is an active community leader currently serving on the boards of the F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts, Misericordia University, the Cancer Wellness Center of NEPA, North Branch Land Trust, Skills in Scranton, and the Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Business & Industry. She is also a member of Circle 200.
Kolessar received a bachelor’s degree from King’s College and earned a master’s degree from Misericordia University.
Kathleen Pearage is the owner and administrator of Tri-Star Academy, a local family childcare facility.
In 2004, Pearage began her entrepreneurship journey by purchasing her first childcare facility. Since then, she has grown the business to include four locations serving northeastern Pennsylvania.
With more than twenty-five years of experience in early learning and education, Pearage believes that when children and families are supported from the beginning, it leads to a strong community and benefits society.
In her spare time, Pearage enjoys hiking, yoga, and traveling.
Pearage received a bachelor’s degree from Commonwealth University—Bloomsburg, and an active member of the Pennsylvania Child Care Association.
Danielle “Dani” Ruhf is the founder and chief executive officer of CHOP Out Hunger, a Pennsylvania-based nonprofit serving thousands of children each week through innovative hunger-relief programs.
A visionary leader and national speaker, Ruhf specializes in nonprofit growth, fundraising, and social impact.
Ruhf received a bachelor’s degree from Wilkes University. In addition, she is a graduate of the Chick-fil-A Impact Accelerator and a current member of he University of Scranton’s Kania School of Management’s Nonprofit Leadership Certificate Program.
Kailin Bouse is the owner of Kailin of Earth Wellness Studio in Clarks Summit, where she currently serves as a 500-Hour Yoga and Meditation Instructor, Reiki Master Teacher, and Certified Sound Therapist. Through her studio, Bouse is devoted to helping individuals feel safe, seen, and empowered, with work that is deeply grounded in nervous system regulation, spiritual development, and holistic well-being.
Bouse’s background reflects a thoughtful blend of ancient wisdom and modern, science-informed practices. Her offerings support physical, mental, and emotional wellness while fostering human connection and self-awareness, integrating yoga, meditation, sound therapy, and energy work to build resilience to stress.
Bouse holds an E-RYT 500 Yoga Instructor Certification through Yoga Alliance, along with 200-Hour Yoga and Meditation training from the Himalayan Institute of Yoga Science & Philosophy. She also holds a 300-Hour Yoga and Meditation certification from Yoga Farm Ithaca, and is certified as a Sound Therapist through the Institute of Conscious Evolution, and is a Reiki Master Teacher, holding Usui Reiki Level IV certification.
Edna Cementina is the owner of EHealth Wellness & Fitness Studio in Dunmore. She offers personal training, massage therapy, and body contour services.
For two decades, Cementina worked as a client service executive with Cigna Healthcare, but her passion for wellness led her to the fitness industry. In 2021, she opened a 600-square-foot fitness studio in Dunmore, which has grown into a 4,000-square-foot wellness center offering group fitness, spin, strength training, massage therapy, Reiki, and more.
Cementina has an associate degree in business administration. She is ASFA Certified in Personal Training, Group & Bootcamp Fitness Instruction, Indoor Spin/Cycling Instruction, and acertified instructor in ZUMBA, Strong Nation, and POUNDFit.
Tara Grossi is an intuitive medium and reverend, and the owner of Tara Grossi, LLC. With more than 24 years of experience, Grossi supports individuals navigating grief, major life transitions, emotional healing, and spiritual growth, offering grounded guidance that blends intuition with compassion and practical insight.
In addition to her work, Grossi is a certified yoga instructor, ordained minister, and life coach, integrating mindfulness, movement, and spiritual counseling to help clients reconnect with themselves and move forward with clarity and purpose.
Grossi’s studied marketing at Hamilton College, Travel and Tourism at Corning Community College, and Cosmetology at Continetnal School of Beauty. She also holds a certificate in PHR from Villanova University, and trainings include Advanced Psychic Skills, Advanced Mediumship, Mindfulness Training, Past Life Regression Certification, Master Level Mediumship, and Life Coach Certification, along with Ordained Minister and Medium Certification from the Trilogy Institute.
Katie Hoban is the founder of Hoban Wellness, where she designs and delivers holistic wellness experiences tailored for leaders and communities. At Hoban Wellness, she offers Reiki sessions, private and group yoga classes, guided meditation, mindfulness programming, cooking classes, online programs, and signature workshops for studios and community events. Hoban also partners with schools throughout the tri-state area to integrate mindfulness, yoga, and holistic well-being into leadership and learning environments.
Hoban has over two decades of experience as an educator and educational leader. She is also the founder of The Palmer School, providing courses and continuing education opportunities for wellness providers, and her work consistently emphasizes the cultivation of healing, resilience, and wholeness.
Hoban received a bachelor’s degree from Pennsylvania State University and an advanced degree from Gwynedd Mercy University. She also completed professional training in photography through the New York Institute of Photography.
Hoban holds E-RYT® 200, RYT® 500, RCYT®, and YACEP® credentials through Yoga Alliance and is a certified Reiki Master, with additional training in Trauma-Informed Yoga, Restorative Yoga, and Yoga Therapy for Anxiety.
Jeannine Luby is the founder of Laugh to Live, a mission-driven business spreading joy, resilience, and connection through laughter-based presentations and speaking engagements. She currently shares her work throughout northeastern Pennsylvania as well as New York, New Jersey, and Maryland.
Luby’s background blends humor, advocacy, and communications in a way that is both impactful and deeply human. She established the donor-advised Humor Therapy Fund with the Scranton Area Community Foundation and continues to guide its grantmaking to bring healing laughter into the community. She also produces and performs stand-up comedy under the brand Funny Wine Girl and hosts the weekly podcast Uncorked with Funny Wine Girl, which amplifies women’s voices.
Luby’s holds a Bachelor of Arts in journalism from The Pennsylvania State University and a masters in communication arts from Marywood University, along with certifications from the American School of Laughter Yoga and the World Laughter Tour. Her additional credentials include certificates in Using Humor in the Workplace from eCornell, Positive Psychology: Martin E. P. Seligman’s Visionary Science from the University of Pennsylvania and Coursera, Mental Health First Aid from Mental Health First Aid USA, and she is currently pursuing an online certification in Forest Therapy through Alma Oasis.
Dawn Marino is a spiritual medium and channeler, a certified crystal energy healer, intuitive healer, and a tarot reader. She is also an artist who creates channeled healing art infused with energy.
Marino is the author of two published tarot books, “Tarot Journal for Beginners” and “The Complete Guide to Tarot.” Her healings focus on working through the Dark Night of the Soul and the Void space, reconnecting you to your higher self and helping you to feel empowered again.
Marino uses crystal healing by tapping into the energy and consciousness of different crystals and drawing their energy and wisdom. Her work is a unique blend of channeled messages, crystals, tarot, art, and healing techniques. She enjoys connecting with people in person and remotely supporting them on their healing journeys, working with them as they rebuild their sense of self and purpose.
Marino is a Certified Professional Crystal Energy Healer, Certified Level II Reiki Practitioner, Certified in intuitive tarot and mediumship studies, and an ordained minister.
Elika Almeida is the executive director of Youth Infusion, Inc., where she leads initiatives that amplify youth voice, leadership, and mental well-being through the Youth Leadership Advisory Board (YLAB), Youth Talks podcast, and Girls Infused program.
Almeida has championed youth and women’s advocacy in the Pocono Mountains since 2004. A certified youth and teen Mental Health First Aid Instructor, Almeida is committed to mentorship, early intervention, and empowering young people to lead with confidence and purpose.
Arielle Biggs is a senior at East Stroudsburg High School North. Biggs was sworn in as Pennsylvania’s Youth Commissioner in January 2026, where she advocates for youth voice and civic engagement statewide. She also serves as a Youth Leadership Advisory Board (YLAB) Student Ambassador and facilitated the statewide MLK Day Youth Panel in partnership with Youth Service America and PennSERVE.
Biggs excels in academics, the arts, athletics, and leadership. She performs in band and choir, participated in Seussical the Musical, and previously played varsity soccer.
Biggs will attend Delaware Valley University and study Animal Sciences. She plans to become a veterinarian.
Kelly Conlon‑Mazzucca is the program coordinator and lecturer for the corporate communication program at Penn State Scranton and Interim Program Coordinator at Penn State Hazleton, where she leads curriculum development, program assessment, student engagement, and community partnerships.
With more than 15 years in higher education and professional experience in advertising and small business ownership, she brings industry insight to courses focused on corporate communication strategy and professional speaking.
Conlon-Mazzucca is committed to experiential learning, mentoring students, and creating community-based partnerships that prepare graduates for professional success while strengthening regional organizations. Conlon-Mazzucca received a bachelor’s degree from Wilkes University, a master’s degree from Marywood University, and is currently completing her PhD in Strategic Leadership at Marywood University, where her research focuses on the communication experiences of law enforcement families.
Nicole Morristell is the executive director of Leadership Lackawanna, The Chamber’s community leadership and professional development division. She oversees programs that cultivate leaders from high school students to seasoned executives, including Tomorrow’s Leaders Today, Collegiate, Core, Fundamentals 2.0, and the Executive program, and Welcome Scranton! She also manages events and fundraisers that support these initiatives.
Prior to joining The Chamber, Morristell worked for the Girl Scouts organization, where she served in a number of positions over the years, including marketing and community outreach specialist, public relations director, and special events manager.
Morristell’s achievements include recognition as a Top 20 Under 40 and Top 25 Woman in Business by the Northeastern Pennsylvania Business Journal, the Change Maker Award from the Wyoming Valley Chamber of Commerce, and the Association of Leadership Programs National Volunteer of the Year Award.
Morristell serves as a committee member and Pennsylvania State Ambassador for the Association of Leadership Programs (ALP). A proud mother of two, she is active with the Tunkhannock Intermediate Center PTO, Anthracite Football Club, Tunkhannock Junior Tigers, Cub Scouts Pack 175, and Girl Scouts in the Heart of PA. She is also a co-founder of Supporters of Camp Archbald.
Morristell is a graduate of Tunkhannock Area High School. She received a bachelor’s degree from Elizabethtown College and is a Gallup Certified Strengths Coach.
